Progressive Slovakia Warns National Parks Face Threat from Zoning Changes

Progressive Slovakia, an opposition liberal party, warned that four of Slovakia's national parks could become meaningless designations following controversial zoning decisions. Tamara Stohlová, the party's environmental spokesperson and deputy chair of parliament's agriculture and environment committee, said the changes threaten to reduce the parks to paper-only protections. The warning comes amid ongoing disputes over environmental protection policies under the current government led by Robert Fico's Smer-SD party. Slovakia's national parks are crucial protected areas that preserve the country's biodiversity and natural heritage, but have faced pressure from development and economic interests.